About Mr. Penner

Welcome to my school webpage. If you landed here, you want to learn more about me! Below I've laid out some standard questions and answers.

1. What are your experiences?

1. I am a Graduate of SUNY Fredonia and St. Bonaventure. Certified in Social Studies, Special Education, Gifted Education. I have worked in Public, and Private schools for the past 5 years. Bachelors in Social Studies Education and History, Masters in Differentiated Instruction. In addition, a specialty in Educational Technology.

2. Info on you?

2. I grew up in Phelps, NY. (South Rochester Region). A very rural area, with lots of farm land! Technology and History are huge passions, I am constantly reading or doing something involving the topics. My most recent projects involve evaluating future technologies: Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.

3. Teaching Style?

3. I do not believe in “Teaching to Tests.” I believe in giving every student a way of showing “What they’ve learned.” As a result, traditional testing and quizzes do not hold a large weight on students grades. Instead participation, projects, and weekly notes are where students make a significant portion of their average.

4. What about “Standardized Testing”

4. While I do not favor traditional testing, I still have incorporated large amounts of curriculum to ready your child for the Social Studies regents. While the testing may be “controversial” the standards/skills being taught are not.

5. What can I expect my child to learn from your class?

5. Curriculum will follow NYS Standards(Grade 6: Ancient History, Grade 7: US History, Grade 8 US History.) Students will also develop Critical Thinking, Leadership and Analysis skills. This will be accomplished through multiple Social Studies sources: primary and secondary Source documents, close reads, writings, and political cartoons. My curriculum is entirely aligned with NYS standards, and I also integrated the New Social Studies Framework and allow for students to push past the standard curriculum.

6. What if my child needs accommodations / modifications ?

6. Appropriate modifications will be made based on a IEP Plan. Individualized student accommodations / modifications can occur based on students need. If you feel your child needs assistance, please contact the school.

7. How can I contact you?

7. Please feel free to reach me via email at dpenner@sjvop.org. Please allow up to a day for a return comment, and a return to the school day on weekends.